Talk:Mo Farah

Edit request on 5 August 2012

'packet of crisps' 81.141.127.184 (talk) 19:19, 5 August 2012 (UTC)

I think all the vandalism edits have been undone, but if you read through and find any more, please make a note here. SilkTork ^{✔Tea time} 19:27, 5 August 2012 (UTC)

Semi-protection

This article has been semi-protected. Semi-protection prevents edits from unregistered users (IP addresses), as well as edits from any account that is not autoconfirmed (is at least four days old and has at least ten edits to Wikipedia) or confirmed. Such users can request edits to this article by proposing them on this talk page, using the {{Edit semi-protected}} template if necessary to gain attention. New users may also request the confirmed user right by visiting Requests for permissions. SilkTork ^{✔Tea time} 19:25, 5 August 2012 (UTC)

Mo Farah was born between Arabsiyo & Gabiley in Somaliland

It's crazy to suggest that Mo Farah (Mohamed Farah) was born in Mogadishu when his mum never seen Mogadishu in her entire life. Can you give birth to someone in a place you have never been? I guess not! Please do correct his place of birth to: Arabsiyo-Gabiley 1983 because that's where he was born and later moved to Djiboute before heading to England. - Thanks.

http://www.somaliland.org/2012/08/08/mo-faarax-halyay-u-babac-dhigay-carqalad-kasta-oo-yoolkiisa-iska-hortaagi-karta/ — Preceding unsigned comment added by Aliburco (talk • contribs) 11:15, 9 August 2012 (UTC)

He stated in an interview that he was born in Mogadishu [1]: "I was born in Mogadishu, but I grew up in Djibouti". Middayexpress (talk) 14:58, 9 August 2012 (UTC)

Is somaliland.org reliable? There do seem to be persistent assertions that he was not born in Mogadishu. Previous claims (see archives) have him born in Hargeisa, which seems to be relatively close to Arabsiyo. 86.160.215.15 (talk) 03:23, 12 August 2012 (UTC)

Here are two more articles that say he was born in Mogadishu, and give other details of his early life:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2190417/Revealed-We-twin-brother-Mo-Farah-forced-abandon-child-war-torn-Somalia-tells-harrowing-story-separated-aged-parents-agonising-decision.html

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/aug/10/mo-farah-mother-somaliland

86.160.85.167 (talk) 20:16, 28 August 2012 (UTC)

Mobot

In the Personal Life section, a little mention of his 'Mobot' celebration could be included, if only because the creation is interesting (Claire Balding came up with it and James Cordon gave it the name), and because of Usain Bolt doing it as a mark of respect to Mo after winning the relay. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2.28.162.211 (talk) 10:27, 12 August 2012 (UTC)

10,000 / 5000

Why does 10,000 metres have a comma in it, but not 5000 / 3000 / 1500 metres? 194.176.105.132 (talk) 11:39, 13 August 2012 (UTC)

I raised this once at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia_talk:Manual_of_Style/Archive_117#Athletics_race_distances 86.177.105.213 (talk) 12:01, 13 August 2012 (UTC)

Hounslow Athletic Club

Mo Farah's first athletic club was Hounslow Athletic Club which he was introduced to by Alan Watkinson, he was coached there by Alex McGee and later by Conrad Milton. He moved to Newham & Essex Beagles, when Hounslow were forced to leave their track at Feltham and amalgamate with Windsor,Slough & Eton AC.86.129.89.62 (talk) 20:18, 12 August 2012 (UTC)

Weight

The article currently says 65 kg (143 lb), which is sourced to iaaf.org, but seems too high to me, based on his height and build. That's almost exactly what I weigh, and I'm pretty darned sure that Farah is not as heavy as me. [2] says 58 kg, and [3] says 56 kg. Should we change it to one of these lower values? 86.177.105.213 (talk) 03:45, 14 August 2012 (UTC)

British Somali?

Would it not be better to introduce him as British but mention in brackets that he was born in Mogadishu, similar to the Linford Christie page? I think he has made it clear that he considers himself as 100% British. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 81.109.72.78 (talk) 13:31, 16 August 2012 (UTC)

Agree. In a mixed prhase like this the first is usually the ethnic background, and the second the actualy current nationality - like Irish American, - this makes him sound like he runs for Somalia and has English ancestry - 'Somali Briton', or 'British athlete of Somali birth' would seem more accurate. Mpjmcevoy (talk) 22:59, 19 August 2012 (UTC)

Mo Farah's Family in Somaliland

I would like to focus your attention to Mo Farah's family and the celebration in Somaliland of his olympic gold medals for Team GB; in particular his brother who walked four miles to Wajaale to watch Mo Farah run for Team GB, reported by David Smith in Gabiley Somaliland.

Mo Farah, and Like many Somalians who were born before 1991 in what was then Somalia are proud British Somalilanders where Mo Farah has posed in numerous images bearing the multi-coloured flag of Somaliland. Please have a look at these Links:

Mo Farah's "Motherland" Somaliland Somaliland Flag of Somaliland

To understand the reasons for the creation of an autonomous State, and how many Somalilanders at the time fled persecution to unite in Somaliland. I am a proud British Somalilander and also a distant relative of Mo Farah through family clan system, which is a factor in the Somali-Somaliland Civil War. I am British first, Somaliland second since Great Britain is where I grew up and is my home, and I say it proudly.

This is my first post, and I am using the talk page to gain information from experienced editors of Wikipedia to contact me in regards to structuring or even helping in editing Mo Farah's Wiki page.

--SJMadar (talk) 19:10, 16 August 2012 (UTC)

Somaliland is internationally recognized as an autonomous region of constitutionally federal Somalia. So is Puntland, Galmudug, etc. For the rest, see WP:NOTADVOCATE. Middayexpress (talk) 19:15, 16 August 2012 (UTC)

"world's fastest long-distance runner"

IMO the text "... making him the world's fastest long-distance runner" in the lead section is vague and/or misleading, and I propose that it is either clarified or removed. 86.179.6.55 (talk) 02:25, 23 August 2012 (UTC)

I've been around track circles for a while, and I haven't heard the term. We have had "worlds fastest man" for a long time, but not this one. Accomplishing the Woolworth double (5 and 10) is a remarkable accomplishment, but its not unique. Lets look back at Hannes Kolehmainen, Emil Zátopek, Vladimir Kuts, Lasse Virén (twice), Miruts Yifter and Kenenisa Bekele all accomplished the same thing. Were they called the same thing? I suggest we find sources that show there is such a title and that this is the definition. Trackinfo (talk) 05:58, 23 August 2012 (UTC)

Since no clarification has emerged about how "world's fastest long-distance runner" is defined, nor any evidence that it is a recognised title, I have removed it. 86.179.6.23 (talk) 02:25, 11 September 2012 (UTC)

Lead image

Though the new Mo-in-a-suit image is good, it makes him look a bit like a singer or actor or something, and I think I prefer the previous one of him running as the lead image. What do others think? 86.151.119.57 (talk) 00:54, 14 September 2012 (UTC)

Since no one has commented I have swapped it back. 86.129.16.11 (talk) 19:53, 26 September 2012 (UTC)

If every person in a suit were a singer or actor (which in itself is not an issue), then much of the working world would be Hollywood. Farah, incidentally, recently signed on as a mentor on Simon Cowell's X Factor talent show [4]. Middayexpress (talk) 20:07, 27 September 2012 (UTC)

I disagree with having this image in the lead. It is much better to have one showing him running, since that is the reason he is notable. This is true of all sportspeople. It is always better to have a lead picture showing them doing their sport. Other people please comment on this. 81.159.111.6 (talk) 17:41, 30 September 2012 (UTC)

For now I have put it back to the old image, which was stable for a long time. Please do not change it back again without some demonstrable consensus that this change is generally desired. Thanks. 81.159.111.6 (talk) 17:50, 30 September 2012 (UTC)

There's actually no Wikipedia policy indicating that infobox images of athletes must show them performing athletic activities. There likewise was no demonstrable consensus around the other image. As shown, Mo Farah is also not strictly an athlete. He has branched out into television work and is additionally involved in various philanthropic activities. In a few years time, he will retire altogether from competitive athletics as well. So a decent headshot of him in neutral wear (which, in any case, the running body-shot isn't), as on the Michael Phelps GA page, seems best. Middayexpress (talk) 20:59, 30 September 2012 (UTC)

(formerly IP 81.) I have restored the old picture. More people need to comment on this. Right now it is just one person's opinion against another with no clear means of resolution. 86.128.1.121 (talk) 23:18, 19 July 2013 (UTC)

I have placed a note on the athletics project page inviting further comments (at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia_talk:WikiProject_Athletics#Comments_sought). 86.128.1.121 (talk) 01:37, 20 July 2013 (UTC)

Actually, it's two established users vs. one anonymous IP. That's why you were reverted here by another editor [5]. Middayexpress (talk) 14:13, 20 July 2013 (UTC)

I think File:Mo Farah Helsinki 2012.jpg would be a good choice for the lead image. The suited picture is probably more appropriate for the personal life or awards section. I agree that the lead image should best reflect the subject's reason for notability (e.g. if a musician, get an image of the subject in concert). SFB 09:11, 21 July 2013 (UTC)

Decisions should be based on website policy. I don't believe there's any policy which stipulates that a lead must show the subject enacting his/her profession. This is why few lead images in actor BLPs show the featured actor/actress acting in a film or peforming theater, even if the thespian is a character actor. They are instead typically frontal shots, where the subject's likeness is best captured; as on Anthony Perkins or Johan Cruyff. The performance pics are usually further down, in the section where the person's career is discussed. At any rate, the lede here is from the 2010 London Youth Games Hall of Fame and Awards Evening, where Farah was being honored for his athletic achievements; so it too is ultimately career-related. Middayexpress (talk) 13:32, 21 July 2013 (UTC)

No consensus to change the lead picture from the action shot to the "suit" shot has been demonstrated. I have therefore restored the original. Please do not change it again without demonstrating consensus. 86.160.217.199 (talk) 02:40, 17 August 2013 (UTC)

Sorry, but that's not the way the WP:BRD process works. There was a consensus established that the suit image was the one to go with (linked to above). You objected to it and tried to establish a new consensus, but only managed one non-anonymous IP supporter. That a new consensus does not make. Middayexpress (talk) 02:56, 17 August 2013 (UTC)

Sorry, but please stop changing this now. You have not demonstrated consensus for your change. 86.160.217.199 (talk) 03:05, 17 August 2013 (UTC)

I have asked again at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia_talk:WikiProject_Athletics#Comments_sought_.28again.29 86.160.217.199 (talk) 03:14, 17 August 2013 (UTC)

Actually, consensus for the suit image was already established months ago, when another editor reverted the same change you've attempted today with the explanation that there was "no consensus" for your change [6]. Middayexpress (talk) 03:16, 17 August 2013 (UTC)

I did not "change" anything. I put it back to how it was. One other person making one revert does not establish any preference for your version over my opinion + one other person above. 86.160.217.199 (talk) 03:35, 17 August 2013 (UTC)

I'm afraid you are mistaken. A new silent consensus was established, as your change was reverted by another editor with the explanation that it had no consensus ("Consensus can be presumed to exist until voiced disagreement becomes evident (typically through reverting or editing))." Middayexpress (talk) 03:51, 17 August 2013 (UTC)

Also, I should point out that the relevant Template:Infobox documentation only stipulates that the image parameter should show "an image of the subject." In other words, the priority is to show the subject himself/herself (i.e. their likeness), not what he/she is famous for. The parameter does not have to show the athlete performing his/her sport, as you have argued. And indeed, the very image used as an example in the template is a frontal shot of athlete Laurentia Tan at a Paralympics celebration, much like the frontal shot of Mo Farah at the London Youth Games celebration. Middayexpress (talk) 03:51, 17 August 2013 (UTC)

Here's my 2 cents, as a member of WP Athletics: I prefer the "action" photo slightly. While the "suit" photo is quite good, the "action" photo is also quite good in that it clearly shows the subject's face. (Many "action" photos are sub-par in this respect, and are therefore not ideal for the infobox.) It is quite appropriate to give preference to "action" photos, as their purpose is also illustration, not just identification: the "action" photo does both, while the "suit" photo does only the latter. Still, both photos are of sufficiently high quality that putting either of them in the infobox is certainly not wrong. GregorB (talk) 12:23, 17 August 2013 (UTC)

The action shot does show Farah running, but the pic of him at the London Youth Games celebration is likewise career-related. His likeness is also better captured in the latter, more polished shot. It's similar to the lede image in the Michael Phelps GA page. Middayexpress (talk) 13:18, 17 August 2013 (UTC)

Nationality

We've had such discussions in the past about Somaliland and Somalia so i think we need third party comments. Pass a Method talk 08:42, 17 August 2013 (UTC)

He was apparently born in Mogadishu, in Somalia. His family lives in Somaliland, but most international bodies regard Somaliland as part of Somalia, whatever the de facto position may be. Ghmyrtle (talk) 09:46, 17 August 2013 (UTC)

He wears a Somaliland armband during races and The Times also conifirm it. If you change the self-described affiliation of a person it becomes a BLP issue. Pass a Method talk 11:07, 17 August 2013 (UTC)

You wouldn't describe a Palestinian born inside the border of Israel as Israeli would you? Nor would you describe a Kosovan as a Serb.Pass a Method talk 11:10, 17 August 2013 (UTC)

Here's Mo Farah's actual country of birth/Somalia, and why he sometimes waves the Somaliland region's flag [7]:

A grounded man, he has retained a strong friendship with the PE teacher who encouraged him to swap football for athletics and helped with visas when Farah arrived as a refugee from Somalia in 1993, and the 27-year-old is not one to forget his roots. On Tuesday night, as he jumped around on the Barcelona track, delirious in celebration, someone in the crowd threw him a Somaliland flag.
"It's a part of Somalia now trying to be recognised as a republic," said Farah, who left the country behind as he tried to build a new life in the UK. "They've just got a new government. I was chucked the flag and I thought: 'Yeah, OK.' There's a lot of people in the UK from Somalia who've followed me."

That said, the analogy above is completely inapt. Palestinians are a separate ethnic group from Mizrahi, Sephardic, Ashkenazi Jews, etc.. On the other hand, people residing in the Somaliland region -- which is internationally recognized as a Federal Member State of Somalia (a federation), like the autonomous Puntland region -- are predominantly ethnic Somalis, as in most other parts of Somalia. Ethnic Somalis also don't just traditionally inhabit Somalia proper, but rather Greater Somalia. In any event, Farah was born in Mogadishu in southern Somalia, not in Hargeisa or other parts of the Somaliland region in northwestern Somalia. Part of his family just hails from the latter region. He also spent his early childhood years in Djibouti. Middayexpress (talk) 12:56, 17 August 2013 (UTC)

I removed the Somalilander categories which as I mentioned in my edit summary (okay a minor grammar typo) appeared to be completely unsupported by anything in the article. Per WP:BLP please do not add it back without resolving the problem. I did not add back the Somalian categories [8] since I don't really care that much so can't be bothered checking out the sources used in the article that relate to his Somalian heritage to confirm they are suitable. As I'm sure I remarked before in a discussion on JW's talk page, what armband's he may or may not wear is insufficient to establish selfidentification since there are many possible intentions with such armbands. Since you mentioned Palestinians, I would hope you know there are a number of people who have worn or displayed Palestinian flags as a sign of solidarity who definitely do not self identify as Palestinians. A third party oped is also way to insufficient for a BLP unless it's quoting him directly. If there is clearcut self-identification even from a primary source like Twitter or whatever I would have no problems with this being added to the article and appropriate categories added but until then the Somaliland caterogies should definitely stay out Nil Einne (talk) 23:09, 6 September 2013 (UTC)

Farah's father

Sorry, but Farah's father wasn't born in London. The verification provided for this section, are complete nonsense. They say nothing of the sort. What's more, there is nothing online to support this. Not even Farah claimed it.

His father is a British citizen through residency. He moved to the UK in his 20s, to work.

I'm assuming it was maybe changed by an over-patriotic, Brit, but this isn't the place for mythology

Cjmooney9 (talk) 14:30, 15 January 2014 (UTC)

Age

The header says he was born in 1983 and is 32 years old. Would the author please correct this? I don't have any expertise, or I would. Given the controversy evident in this Talk page about basic facts (e.g., where he was born), it doesn't seem wise for me to step into the breach.

Thanks. KC 04:09, 2 November 2015 (UTC) — Preceding unsigned comment added by Boydstra (talk • contribs)

Nationality

It's a bit misleading to say he is British when he wasn't born in Britain or to at least one British parent. He's Somalian with most likely British Citizenship. So, his lead should be updated to say Somalian-born British.  — Calvin999 23:23, 6 November 2015 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 28 August 2016

2001:628:2120:604:4087:AC89:BDFE:94B1 (talk) 01:09, 28 August 2016 (UTC)

Farrah dopes without request